Pupils and staff at a Bradford primary school were thrilled to receive a visit from Bradford City player Ricky Ravenhill.

The midfielder, who was part of City’s squad during their eventful 2012/13 season that saw them get to Wembley twice, visited Fearnville Primary School in Tyersal.

During his trip he told children that sticking to the rules and respecting authority was as important a part of being a good footballer as natural skill.

PE co-ordinator Daniel Cassidy has been trying to get a Bradford City player to visit the school since the start of the year, and since then the team hit the headlines for their incredible League Cup run.

Ravenhill signed autographs, posed for pictures and spoke of life as a professional footballer and his double visit to Wembley.

When asked what managers look for in a player, he said: “Coaches and managers always look for people who try their best and listen to instructions. Working hard and following what your teacher or coach says is always more important than natural talent.”

Discussing his favourite footballers, he chose fellow midfielders Roy Keane and Patrick Viera, adding “I like tough midfielders.”

Having started his career at Barnsley, Ravenshill also had spells at Darlington and Notts County before moving to Bradford in 2011. He is one of the few professional players to have been promoted four times in his career, each time with a different team.

Mr Cassidy said: “I wanted to show the kids what it takes to be a professional footballer, that you have to work hard and listen to instructions.

“They loved it, some of them thought it was on a par with David Beckham coming in.

“He watched a couple of the pupils play football and I took him on a walk around the school. Things like this can really benefit the children and their behaviour.”